Aroma, Aromatherapy and Trauma

Helen Nagle-Smith’s book is an essential guide for anyone on a journey of recovery and renewal. It presents a profound and insightful journey into the interplay between scent, healing, trauma, and the human experience. It masterfully unravels the layers of trauma, from the seemingly simple to the deeply complex, offering powerful aromatic tools to nurture resilience, soothe the nervous system, and comfort the broken heart of a traumatized human being.Helen presents a narrative that educates and empowers readers to recognize and connect with their lived experiences with compassionate clarity. Each page offers a blend of science, aromatherapy practices, and empathetic storytelling, guiding readers toward understanding trauma as a spectrum. This book is invaluable for anyone seeking to navigate personal healing or support others using scents, whether newcomers to aromatherapy or long-time practitioners alike.

– Jonathan Benavides, Psychologist, Clinical Aromatherapist, Aromatic Sentinel Creator, HEARTS Process Teacher, Lecturer, Researcher, Author.Overflowing with current trauma knowledge, this is a superb study of how parts of the brain that process fragrance coalesce with memory, emotions and trauma. It is the perfect example of the more you know, the more you find you don’t know. Nagle-Smith comprehensively addresses how to treat clients presenting trauma responses (including case histories) while reminding us of the myriad ways therapists inadvertently trigger difficult memories with scent. Immaculately researched and written, in my opinion, this book should be compulsory reading for every practicing aromatherapist. – Elizabeth Ashley, Clinical aromatherapist, UK Dir NAHAA remarkable blend of research and expert knowledge, Aroma, Aromatherapy and Trauma explores the holistic healing power of fragrance. This book contains a thoughtful discussion of trauma-informed aromatherapy and its ever-expanding range of applications. Helen has created a masterpiece that will support practitioners and laypersons alike and will inspire conversations that bring about powerful breakthroughs in the use of olfaction in mental health. – Elizabeth Guthrie, PhD, MPH, MIFPA, E-RYT 500 Trauma-Informed PractitionerHelen Nagle-Smith’s book is a very important contribution to the treatment options for trauma and PTSD. She explores the relationship between trauma and scent and how aromas can contribute to healing trauma from many different perspectives. She is aware of relevant concepts, such as trauma-informed care and the importance of acknowledging the wounded healer and secondary trauma. Her book is written with compassion and heart, filled with anecdotes and practical advice. For anyone interested in working with aromas to contribute to healing trauma, this is an important book. – Cathy Skipper & Florian Birkmayer MD, Co-founders AromaGnosis